After you complete your study of this unit, you should be able to:
Q. Explain the differences between the terms "label" and "labeling."
A. The label is the information printed on or attached to the pesticide container. Labeling includes the label itself, plus all other information you receive from the manufacturer about the product when you buy it.
Q. What do the words "Restricted Use Pesticide" tell you about the pesticide product?
A. "Restricted Use Pesticide" means that the product has been shown to be likely to harm people or the environment if it is not used correctly. It may be purchased and used only by certified applicators and those under their direct supervision.
Q. Where would you look to find out whether a pesticide is classified as Restricted Use?
A. If a pesticide is classified as Restricted Use, the words "Restricted Use Pesticide" will appear in a box on the front panel of the pesticide label.
Q. Explain the differences between chemical name,
common name, and brand name. Which of these terms should you use to
most accurately identify a pesticide product?
A. The chemical name is a complex name that identifies the chemical components and structure of the pesticide. A common name is a shorter name that EPA recognizes as a substitute for the chemical name of a product. A brand name is the name - usually a trademark - used by a chemical company to identify a pesticide product. The common name (or the chemical name, if no common name is given) is the most accurate and useful way to identify a pesticide product.
Q. Name and explain the meaning of the signal words and symbols you may see on a pesticide product.
A. "Caution" indicates that the pesticide product is slightly toxic or relatively nontoxic. "Warning" indicates that the pesticide product is moderately toxic. "Danger" indicates that the pesticide product is highly toxic. "Poison" and the skull and crossbones indicates that the pesticide product is highly toxic as a poison, rather than as a skin or eye irritant.
Q. Can you use the signal word on a pesticide label to
judge the likelihood of suffering acute, delayed, or allergic effects
if you are overexposed to the product? Explain.
A. Signal words and symbols indicate the likelihood that you will experience acute harmfuleffects if you are over-exposed. Signal words do not tell you anything about the risks of delayed harmful effects or allergic effects.
Q. What types of hazard statements should you look for in the pesticide labeling?
A. You should look for precautions about hazards to humans (and domestic animals), environmental hazards, and physical/ chemical hazards.
Q. What types of precautionary statements may be included in the labeling section titled "Hazards to Humans"?
A. Acute effects precautions, delayed effects precautions, allergic effect precautions, and personal protective equipment requirements may be in the section of the labeling titled "Hazards to Humans."
Q. What is the meaning of the statement: "It is a
violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent
with its labeling"?
A. It is illegal to use a pesticide in any way not permitted by the labeling. A pesticide may be used only on the plants, animals, or sites named in the directions for use. You may not use higher dosages, higher concentrations, or more frequent applications. You must follow all directions for use, including directions concerning safety, mixing, diluting, storage, and disposal. You must wear the specified personal protective equipment even though you may be risking only your own safety by not wearing it.
Q. Does the pesticide label contain all the
instructions and directions for use that you need to use the product
safely and legally?
A. Some pesticide products have all the necessary instructions and directions for use on the product label. For other products, more instructions and directions may be in other labeling that accompanies the product at the time of purchase. The label or labeling of still other products may refer to separate documents that contain specialized instructions and directions. Pesticide users are required by law to comply with all these types of instructions and directions - not just with the label itself.